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For me, Visa works best.
Hardly anyone will take American Express - leave it home!
I never take euros with me.
I get them out of the airport ATM when I arrive.
I take out about 200-300 euros and when I'm down to maybe 40, get more.
ATMs work just like the ones at home.
Just BE SURE TO ALERT YOUR BANK that you will be in France and Spain or they will LOCK your account!
I have had luck with Visa and Mastercard. But watch out for the foreign transaction fees that many cards charge; it adds up! It also helps to have a card with chip technology if possible. Buen Camino!excited for my first Camino beginning next Th from Pamplona!
would like help on deciding about money on Camino?
what is better Visa, MasterCard, or Amex?
how much euros is good to have to begin with?
how to get more $ if/when needed?
A very patient clerk at my bank explained this to me. Those little logos at the back of your debit cards actually do mean something....... In Spain a couple weeks ago, my primary card wouldn't work when I arrived, so I used my secondary card and it was fine. A couple days later, I tried my primary card in another ATM and it worked just fine. ...... I've also had an experience where neither of my cards would work, so I tried an ATM at another bank and they both worked just fine .
A very patient clerk at my bank explained this to me. Those little logos at the back of your debit cards actually do mean something.
A warning, there are no credit card companies that offer anything for "free." Sorry!There are several major credit card companies that issue cards without foreign transaction fees. I have one from Capital One and one from Chase. Neither of them charge a yearly fee. But I agree that it's always best to use cash when possible, especially in smaller towns. If you use a credit card, do not let the merchant use "dynamic conversion." In other words, make sure the transaction is in Euros, not in dollars. You will get a much better conversion rate by the credit card company than by the merchant.
A warning, there are no credit card companies that offer anything for "free." Sorry!
Having lived in France for the past 5 years with both French and an American debit cards (which I rarely used), I can tell you taking money out of your checking account is the least expensive way to make an ATM transaction. I have no clue what "dynamic conversion" means but I would always be happy dealing with the daily conversion rate. You will always get "screwed" by about 3 to 4 centimes.
I second Icacos, 2 cards or refill while you still have 2 days worth of money on hand or are about to enter a largest town. For some reason there are banos who so not like my ATM, even if it is 4 digits and maesto compatible. Glad I learned this when already in Santiago. I buy my first lot of € here at hime because there's this currently exchange place that has unbeleivable rates, so much so that if it wasn't because they have been in business for 20 plus years I would think they were laundering money.Suggest you take two debit cards with you, as not all ATMs accept all debit cards. Also, I believe the ATMs in Spain require a 4-digit code, so be prepared. Buen Camino!
Maestro is supposed to be the gold standard when it comes to compatibilty, looks like the Master Card sign but all in blue. And yet it has been known to fail me.A very patient clerk at my bank explained this to me. Those little logos at the back of your debit cards actually do mean something.
I kept wondering about the exchange rate when we get to pick. Do you exemples of the difference in ratés depending on the option chosen?There are several major credit card companies that issue cards without foreign transaction fees. I have one from Capital One and one from Chase. Neither of them charge a yearly fee. But I agree that it's always best to use cash when possible, especially in smaller towns. If you use a credit card, do not let the merchant use "dynamic conversion." In other words, make sure the transaction is in Euros, not in dollars. You will get a much better conversion rate by the credit card company than by the merchant.
@biarritzdon , you're back! Good for us! Nice to read you.A warning, there are no credit card companies that offer anything for "free." Sorry!
Having lived in France for the past 5 years with both French and an American debit cards (which I rarely used), I can tell you taking money out of your checking account is the least expensive way to make an ATM transaction. I have no clue what "dynamic conversion" means but I would always be happy dealing with the daily conversion rate. You will always get "screwed" by about 3 to 4 centimes.
excited for my first Camino beginning next Th from Pamplona!
would like help on deciding about money on Camino?
what is better Visa, MasterCard, or Amex?
how much euros is good to have to begin with?
how to get more $ if/when needed?
Hello JBrad,
The best is still the old good cash.
Not too much, but around 3-4 times your daily budget.
ATM's are quite common.
The problem is that your card provider will tax you every time you use one.
Use the search function to get more information about which card is the cheapest...
Buen Camino, Jacques-D.
I agree that AMEX is only accepted in larger cities or at three star and above hotels, but I bring mine mainly for emergencies. Their card services are second to none. If for some reason you need to immediately return home, one call to them has you on the next available flight and a car service at your door to get you to the airport. If you are sick or injured it's nice to be able to get everything arranged in a matter of few minutes with one call.
I got the recommendation of the Charles Schwab debit account - excellent - that's what I would recommend.I used Charles Schwab Bank - it is an online bank with a very stable, long history.
They reimburse ALL ATM and other fees, including foreign exchange fees at the end of each month.
I've never had an issue using it.
You might want to put your travel cash in a Charles Schwab account, separate from your everyday account.
Hi, I'm from the Netherlands I use my bankcard. I can use it at any bank I want.excited for my first Camino beginning next Th from Pamplona!
would like help on deciding about money on Camino?
what is better Visa, MasterCard, or Amex?
how much euros is good to have to begin with?
how to get more $ if/when needed?
I have no clue what "dynamic conversion" means but I would always be happy dealing with the daily conversion rate.
I lived in Spain for 2 years (I am from USA) and walked the Camino. Amex is useless in Spain, especially on the Camino. Visa is best.excited for my first Camino beginning next Th from Pamplona!
would like help on deciding about money on Camino?
what is better Visa, MasterCard, or Amex?
how much euros is good to have to begin with?
how to get more $ if/when needed?
Totally agree with the Schwab Visa Chase Card no fees and great exchange rates used in Spain France and Portugal. I didn't want another card but was very pleased with it.I used Charles Schwab Bank - it is an online bank with a very stable, long history.
They reimburse ALL ATM and other fees, including foreign exchange fees at the end of each month.
I've never had an issue using it.
You might want to put your travel cash in a Charles Schwab account, separate from your everyday account.
I usually withdrew 200AUD at ATM's. I was with a Californian one day who used the same ATM and he was unable to withdraw 400USD. We thought at first it was his card not working there, then he re-tried at the lesser amount and was successful.excited for my first Camino beginning next Th from Pamplona!
would like help on deciding about money on Camino?
what is better Visa, MasterCard, or Amex?
how much euros is good to have to begin with?
how to get more $ if/when needed?
No, I don't have specific examples. But there's no reason for a merchant to give you the most favorable rate. Your credit card company is using the interbank rate, which is about the best you can do.I kept wondering about the exchange rate when we get to pick. Do you exemples of the difference in ratés depending on the option chosen?
Seabird, isn't the credtit the one charging me no matter what curreny I click on? How the merchamt making more or less money on these transactions?No, I don't have specific examples. But there's no reason for a merchant to give you the most favorable rate. Your credit card company is using the interbank rate, which is about the best you can do.
The merchant is reimbursed by the amount you actually pay. Let's say you buy a 100 euro item. If you are charged in euros, at the interbank rate that might be around $110 when it appears on your credit card bill. The merchant would still be reimbursed only for the actual charge 100 euros (less a fee, of course).Seabird, isn't the credtit the one charging me no matter what curreny I click on? How the merchamt making more or less money on these transactions?
The merchant is reimbursed by the amount you actually pay. Let's say you buy a 100 euro item. If you are charged in euros, at the interbank rate that might be around $110 when it appears on your credit card bill. The merchant would still be reimbursed only for the actual charge 100 euros (less a fee, of course).
If you decided to be charged in dollars, the local rate might be $1.15 for one euro. You will then be charged for $115. And the merchant would still be reimbursed at the interbank rate of 1.10 dollars per euro, and will receive approximately 104.54 euros ($115 divided by 1.10 dollars per euro = 104.54 euros), for an extra profit of 4.54 euros (less a fee).
So, it is always best to be charged in the local currency if you can't use cash.
My experience fall 2014 was to carry 4 days cash needs in euros. If you don't then you risk fussing over where is the next machine every few days. I did have to borrow 20 euros a couple times from a new friend … not a great idea but they were gracious. Also note that many machines don't have english so learn some spanish bank words so you push the right button !!excited for my first Camino beginning next Th from Pamplona!
would like help on deciding about money on Camino?
what is better Visa, MasterCard, or Amex?
how much euros is good to have to begin with?
how to get more $ if/when needed?